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The Equalizer (2021 TV series)

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The Equalizer is an American crime drama television series that premiered on CBS on February 7, 2021. It is the reboot of the original series of the same name created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. The series is co-created by executive producers Lindheim, with Sloan, and Queen Latifah, who also stars as the titular character. John Davis, John Fox, Debra Martin Chase, Andrew Marlowe, and Terri Miller also serve as executive producers. Lindheim died from heart failure on January 18, 2021, while working on the series; the series premiere is dedicated to his memory.

The Equalizer
Genre
Based onThe Equalizer
by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim
Developed byAndrew W. Marlowe & Terri Edda Miller
Showrunners
  • Andrew W. Marlowe
  • Terri Edda Miller
  • Joseph C. Wilson
  • Adam Glass
Starring
Music by
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes61 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Zoe Robyn
  • Meredith Mills
  • Joe Gazzam
  • Erik Lee
  • Jamila Daniel
  • Raymond Quinlan
  • Jolian Blevins
Cinematography
Editors
  • James Kilton
  • Dorian Harris
  • Matthew Philip Smith
  • Nick Towle
  • Brock Hammitt
  • Doug Hannah
  • Steven Lang
  • James Michael Crawford
  • Debby Germino
  • Scott Lerner
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time43–44 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseFebruary 7, 2021 (2021-02-07) –
present (present)
Related
The Equalizer (original series)

In March 2021, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on October 10, 2021. In May 2022, the series was renewed for its third and fourth seasons. The third season premiered on October 2, 2022. The fourth premiered on February 18, 2024. In April 2024, the series was renewed for a fifth season which premiered on October 20, 2024.

Premise

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The series centers around Robyn McCall, an enigmatic woman in New York City and single mother to teenage daughter Delilah with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn, acting as a guardian angel and a defender for those who cannot defend themselves while pursuing her own redemption.

Cast

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Main

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  • Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, a.k.a. "the Equalizer", a divorced single mother and former CIA operative who acts as a street vigilante for justice.
  • Tory Kittles as Marcus Dante, a divorced single father of two sons, and an intelligent and shrewd NYPD detective on Robyn's trail because he is reluctant to have Robyn help him, but finds common ground in getting justice. In season 2, they become allies and friends.
  • Adam Goldberg as Harry Keshegian, Melody's husband and a master hacker who faked his death with Robyn's help.[1]
  • Liza Lapira as Melody "Mel" Bayani, a former U.S. Air Force sniper turned owner of a bar that acts as a secret base of operations, and an old friend of Robyn's from her service days.
  • Laya DeLeon Hayes as Delilah, Robyn's 15-year-old daughter, who is rebellious and feels neglected by Robyn, despite their attempts to bond with each other.
  • Lorraine Toussaint as Viola "Aunt Vi" Marsette, Robyn's wise paternal aunt, who lives with Robyn and Delilah, having moved from Milwaukee to help them out, and is an artist.
  • Chris Noth as William Bishop (seasons 1–2),[2] a quirky ex–CIA director and old friend of Robyn's who now runs his own private security company. He acts as liaison between Robyn and the CIA. In season 2, he is killed in a plane crash caused by Robyn's nemesis, Mason Quinn.

Recurring

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  • Erica Camarano as Detective Paley (season 1; guest season 2), who works with Dante. She is shot and killed in the second-season premiere while responding to a bank robbery along with Dante.
  • Jennifer Ferrin as Avery Grafton, a district attorney who has made Robyn's arrest and prosecution a priority for her office, seeing her as an embarrassment for the justice system and a threat to her re-election prospects. In the second season, Robyn saves Grafton from an assassination attempt by a corrupt A.D.A. and known criminal, stops a probe into her office that would have exposed them both, and points out the blindspots both she and her office have developed in their pursuit of justice. Afterwards, she decides to call off the manhunt, as long as Robyn does not cross the line too far.
  • Frank Pando as Captain Torres (season 1–2), Dante's commanding officer.
  • Chris Vance as Mason Quinn (season 2–3), Robyn's nemesis.
  • Dominic Fumusa as Detective Ken Mallory (season 2), a detective recruited by D.A. Grafton to identify and arrest Robyn.
  • Brett Dalton as Carter Griffin (season 2–3)
  • Donal Logue as Colton Fisk (season 3–present)[3]
  • Indira Wilson as Captain Watkins (season 3–present), Dante's precinct captain.

Notable guest stars

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Episodes

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Main article: List of The Equalizer (2021 TV series) episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
110February 7, 2021 (2021-02-07)May 23, 2021 (2021-05-23)
218October 10, 2021 (2021-10-10)May 15, 2022 (2022-05-15)
318October 2, 2022 (2022-10-02)May 21, 2023 (2023-05-21)
410February 18, 2024 (2024-02-18)May 19, 2024 (2024-05-19)
5TBAOctober 20, 2024 (2024-10-20)TBA

Production

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Development

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In November 2019, CBS announced that a reboot was in development with Queen Latifah in the lead role as Robyn McCall. Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller would serve as showrunners with Latifah herself as an executive producer.[7] On January 27, 2020, CBS issued a pilot order for the new version.[8] Production companies involved with the pilot include Flavor Unit, Davis Entertainment, Martin Chase Productions and CBS Television Studios and Universal Television. On May 8, 2020, it was announced that the production had been given a series order.[9] On March 9, 2021, CBS renewed the series for a second season.[10] On May 1, 2022, Marlowe and Miller stepped down as showrunners and are being replaced by Joseph C. Wilson and Adam Glass.[11] On May 5, 2022, CBS renewed the series for its third and fourth seasons.[12] On April 25, 2024, CBS renewed the series for a fifth season.[13]

 
A notice by the NYPD stating that The Equalizer is being filmed, April 1st 2024.

Casting

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In February 2020, it was announced that Liza Lapira and Lorraine Toussaint had been cast in the pilot's lead roles.[14][15] On March 3, 2020, it was announced that Tory Kittles joined the cast in a starring role.[16] On May 8, 2020, it was announced that Chris Noth joined a starring role along with Latifah.[17] On December 21, 2021, CBS and Universal Television announced Noth was terminated from the series after sexual assault allegations were made against him. His final appearance was in the middle of the second season.[2] On January 3, 2022, it was reported that Noth had made his last appearance in "Separated" due to allegations that he assaulted women in December 2021.[18] On September 20, 2022, it was announced that Donal Logue and Gloria Reuben joined the cast in undisclosed capacities for the third season.[3]

Filming

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The pilot was slated to film in New York City in March 2020. Production was delayed as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States before filming could begin.[19] On February 9, 2021, it was reported that production had been temporarily suspended due to a positive COVID-19 test.[20]

Filming for the series has taken place in several locations in northern New Jersey, including Paterson, Newark, and Jersey City.[21] Exterior shots of a Jersey City home are used for Robyn McCall's residence.[22][23]

Broadcast

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The Equalizer premiered on February 7, 2021, after Super Bowl LV on CBS.[24] The second season premiered on October 10, 2021.[25] The third season premiered on October 2, 2022.[26] The fourth season premiered on February 18, 2024.[27] The fifth season premiered on October 20, 2024.[28]

The series had its series premiere in Germany on Sky One on July 12, 2021[citation needed], in the UK on Sky Witness on August 3, 2021,[29] and in Italy on Sky Investigation (local version of Sky Witness) on October 3, 2021.[citation needed]

Marketing

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On May 19, 2020, a 30-second teaser featuring Queen Latifah explaining her involvement in the series was released by CBS.[30] On January 9, 2021, CBS released the first official teaser for the series.[31]

Reception

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Critical response

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On Rotten Tomatoes, the show's first season has an approval rating of 67% based on reviews from 30 critics, with an average rating of 6/10. The website's critical consensus states: "Queen Latifah returns to the small screen in full command of her craft—if only The Equalizer's overly-engineered early episodes were on her level."[32] On Metacritic (which uses a weighted average), the season has a score of 57 out of 100 based on 15 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[33]

Ratings

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Viewership and ratings per season of The Equalizer
Season Timeslot (ET) Episodes First aired Last aired TV season Viewership
rank		 Avg. viewers
(millions)		 18–49
rank		 Avg. 18–49
rating
Date Viewers
(millions) 		Date Viewers
(millions)
1 Sunday 10:00 p.m. (1)
Sunday 8:00 p.m. (2–10)		 10 February 7, 2021 (2021-02-07) 20.40[34] May 23, 2021 (2021-05-23) 7.13[35] 2020–21 4 12.07 8 1.7[36]
2 Sunday 8:00 p.m. (1, 4–6, 8, 10–18)
Sunday 8:30 p.m. (2–3, 9)
Sunday 9:00 p.m. (7)		 18 October 10, 2021 (2021-10-10) 7.67[37] May 15, 2022 (2022-05-15) 6.84[38] 2021–22 7 9.42 30 0.9[39]
3 Sunday 8:00 p.m. (2, 4–5, 7–18)
Sunday 8:30 p.m. (1, 3, 6)		 18 October 2, 2022 (2022-10-02) 7.09[40] May 21, 2023 (2023-05-21) 6.28[41] 2022–23 11 8.38 35 0.6[39]
4 Sunday 8:00 p.m. 10 February 18, 2024 (2024-02-18) 6.46[42] May 19, 2024 (2024-05-19) 6.36[43] 2023–24 12 7.89 37 0.5[44]
5 Sunday 8:30 p.m.(7)
Sunday 9:00 p.m.(3, 5)
Sunday 9:30 p.m. (1–2)
Sunday 10:00 p.m. (4, 6)[45]		 TBA October 20, 2024 (2024-10-20) 4.61[46] TBA TBD 2024–25 TBD TBD TBD TBD


Future

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In January 2021, when asked about the show's relationship to the film series starring Denzel Washington, Marlowe stated that while they are focusing on establishing the television series to stand on its own, they are leaving the opportunity open for a crossover between the two in the future.[47]

References

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  1. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 11, 2020). "Adam Goldberg Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' CBS Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Zorrilla, Mónica Marie (December 20, 2021). "Chris Noth Dropped From CBS' 'The Equalizer' After Sexual Assault Allegations". Variety. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Cordero, Rosy (September 20, 2022). "'The Equalizer': Donal Logue and Gloria Reuben Join Season 3". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  4. ^ Ng, Philiana (February 25, 2022). "Jada Pinkett Smith Reunites With Queen Latifah for an Old-Fashioned Heist on 'The Equalizer' (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  5. ^ Thompson, Erica (November 25, 2022). "The Equalizer: Kelly Rowland Is At the Center of Robyn & Co.'s Undercover Mission — Watch a Sneak Peek". TVLine. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  6. ^ Roots, Kimberly (March 8, 2024). "The Equalizer Casts Mike Epps to Offer a Crucial Assist in McCall's Investigation (Exclusive)". TVLine. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  7. ^ Sneider, Jeff (November 4, 2019). "'The Equalizer' TV Series Starring Queen Latifah in the Works at CBS". Collider.
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 27, 2020). "'The Equalizer Reboot Starring Queen Latifah Gets CBS Pilot Order". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2020). "Dramas 'The Equalizer' With Queen Latifah & 'Clarice', Chuck Lorre Comedy 'B Positive' Picked Up To Series By CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  10. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (March 9, 2021). "The Equalizer Renewed for Season 2". TVLine. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  11. ^ Toby, Mekeisha Madden (May 3, 2022). "The Equalizer Changes Showrunners Ahead of Likely Season 3". TVLine. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  12. ^ Denise, Petski (May 5, 2022). "'The Equalizer' Renewed For Seasons 3 & 4 By CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  13. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 25, 2024). "The Equalizer Renewed For Season 5 By CBS, NCIS: Hawai'i Still In Limbo". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Petski, Denise (February 25, 2020). "Liza Lapira Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' Reboot Pilot On CBS". Deadline. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  15. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 28, 2020). "Lorraine Toussaint Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' Reboot Pilot On CBS". Deadline. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  16. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 3, 2020). "Tory Kittles Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' Reboot Pilot On CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  17. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2020). "Chris Noth Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' CBS Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  18. ^ Cordero, Rosy (January 4, 2022). "'The Equalizer': Chris Noth's Final Episode Provides Satisfactory Conclusion For His Character William Bishop".
  19. ^ Thorne, Will; Aurthur, Kate (March 12, 2020). "All the Shows and Movies Shut Down or Delayed Because of Coronavirus". Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  20. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 9, 2021). "The Equalizer Pauses Production After Positive Covid-19 Test". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  21. ^ "Back on home turf: Queen Latifah filming across the state for drama series, The Equalizer". Jersey's Best. December 20, 2020.
  22. ^ Fry, Chris (March 4, 2021). "Queen Latifah's The Equalizer Character Calls Jersey City Home". Dirt. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  23. ^ Blake, Lindsay (February 9, 2021). "Queen Latifah Calls a Grand Jersey City Victorian Home on Her New Show 'The Equalizer'". Dirt. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  24. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (December 3, 2020). "'The Equalizer' Starring Queen Latifah Lands Post-Super Bowl Slot On CBS; 'FBI' Midseason Return Set Post-AFC Championship Game". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  25. ^ Pedersen, Erik (July 12, 2021). "CBS Fall Premiere Dates: New 'NCIS', 'CSI', 'FBI' Series Plus Returning Comedies, Dramas & Reality Fare". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  26. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (June 23, 2022). "CBS Sets Fall Premiere Dates for FBI, Ghosts, NCIS, Young Sheldon and More". TVLine. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  27. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 13, 2023). "CBS Sets 2024 Premiere Dates For Delayed Scripted Series, Confirms 'Matlock' & 'Poppa's House' Move To Next Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  28. ^ Petski, Denise (July 26, 2024). "'Tracker' Season 2 & 'The Equalizer' Season 5 Premiere Dates Shift To CBS Premiere Week". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  29. ^ Harrison, Phil; Verdier, Hannah; Jones, Ellen E; Howlett, Paul (August 3, 2021). "TV tonight: Queen Latifah returns as a modern-day Robin Hood in The Equalizer". The Guardian. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  30. ^ "CBS New Series: B Positive Trailer, The Equalizer & Clarice Teases" from Deadline Hollywood (May 19, 2020)
  31. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (January 9, 2021). "'The Equalizer' Teaser: Queen Latifah Protects The Defenseless In Teaser For CBS Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  32. ^ "The Equalizer: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  33. ^ "The Equalizer: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  34. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 9, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.7.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  35. ^ Bauder, David (May 25, 2021). "Triumph of the unhip: 'NCIS' tops TV, streaming rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  36. ^ Porter, Rick (June 8, 2021). "2020-21 TV Ratings: Complete 7-Day Ratings for Broadcast Network Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  37. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 12, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 10.10.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  38. ^ Salem, Mitch (May 17, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 5.15.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  39. ^ a b Porter, Rick (June 7, 2023). "TV Ratings 2022–23: Final Seven-Day Averages for Every Network Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  40. ^ Berman, Marc (October 4, 2022). "Sunday Ratings: Football Rules; Modest Sampling for 'East New York' on CBS; CW Premieres Left at the Starting Gate". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  41. ^ Salem, Mitch (May 23, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 5.21.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  42. ^ Pucci, Douglas (February 19, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: 'Tracker' Builds in Total Viewers Out of 'Equalizer' Lead-In for CBS, TNT and TBS Win Key Demos with NBA All-Star Game". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  43. ^ Pucci, Douglas (May 21, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: 'American Idol' on ABC Earns Season-Highs in Total Viewers and Demos with 22nd Finale". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  44. ^ Porter, Rick (June 11, 2024). "TV Ratings 2023-24: Final Numbers for (Almost) Every Network Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  45. ^ "Shows A-Z – Equalizer, The (2021) on CBS". The Futon Critic. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  46. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 22, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: N.Y. Liberty Wins Championship on ESPN in 25-Year Viewer High for a WNBA Finals Game". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  47. ^ Cobb, Kayla (January 27, 2021). "'The Equalizer' TV Show Isn't Ruling Out a Denzel Washington Crossover". Decider. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
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